Watsi

Success! Esamu from Tanzania raised $724 to fund mass excision surgery.

100%

$724 raised, $0 to go

$724

raised

to go

Fully funded

Esamu's treatment was fully funded on July 10, 2021.

Esamu's story
Esamu's update

Photo of Esamu post-operation

January 10, 2022

Esamu underwent mass removal surgery.

Esamu had a successful surgery that helped remove a mass on his left cheek. Scheduling his surgery took longer than planned because he was found to be anaemic and had to get healthy enough for a safe surgery. When his family returned to the hospital, the mass had increased significantly. After testing he was cleared fit for surgery and had the mass removed. He’s now recovered from surgery without any issues.

Esamu’s mother shared: “Life has been hard in the village with my sick child. I could not find means to bring him back early enough for surgery as I did not have money to travel. Am thankful he has now had his surgery. He no longer cries a lot due to the pain and discomfort he was going through. Thank you very much.’’

Esamu had a successful surgery that helped remove a mass on his left cheek. Scheduling his surgery took longer than planned because he was f...

June 3, 2021

Esamu is a one-year-old baby boy from Tanzania and the youngest child in a family of four children. Esamu’s mother has a small hair salon just outside of their home, while his father seeks day labor jobs at construction sites to support their family.

Esamu was born with a mass on the right side of his jaw and experiences redness and swelling. His parents tried to seek treatment for him at an early age, but they were not successful until now. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Esamu to receive treatment. He traveled to AMH’s care center where, on June 4th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Esamu needs help to raise $724 to fund this procedure.

Esamu’s mother shared, “we have spent the little money we had saved seeking treatment for our baby to no success. Please help our son.”

Esamu is a one-year-old baby boy from Tanzania and the youngest child in a family of four children. Esamu's mother has a small hair salon ju...

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Esamu's case was submitted by Joan Kadagaya at African Mission Healthcare.

Esamu's Timeline

June 3, 2021
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Esamu was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.
June 14, 2021
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Esamu's profile was published to start raising funds.
July 10, 2021
FULLY FUNDED
Esamu's treatment was fully funded.
August 27, 2021
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Esamu received treatment at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) in Tanzania. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
January 10, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Esamu's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Share Esamu's story

Funded by 14 donors

Treatment

Mass Excision

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $724 for Esamu's treatment

Hospital Fees

$577

Medical Staff

Medication

$11

Supplies

$49

Labs

$52

Other

$35

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Broadly speaking, masses come in two types: benign (not cancer) and malignant (cancer). The types of tumors are many and could range from osteosarcoma of the jaw (a bone tumor) to thyroid enlargement to breast lump to lipoma (benign fat tumor), among others. The symptoms vary depending on the type of tumor. Not all tumors, cancerous or benign, show symptoms. A common benign tumor, such as a lipoma (fatty tumor), may cause local pressure and pain, or may be disfiguring and socially stigmatizing. An ovarian mass may be benign or cancerous and may cause pain, bleeding, or, if malignant, death.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

If the tumor is cancerous, it is usually aggressive and invasive. If not treated (like certain skin cancers, for example) there could be great tissue destruction, pain, deformity, and ultimately death.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

There are so many different kinds of masses so it is difficult to state what the significance is.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The process depends on the location of the mass and whether it is cancerous or benign.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

In the case of cancer, the procedure can be life-saving. In the case of benign tumors, patients can be free of pain or social stigma.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If the tumor is cancerous, the surgeon will only try to remove it if the procedure would be curative. If cancer has already spread, then surgery cannot help. Most of these surgeries are not very risky.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

There are few qualified facilities and surgeons to perform this procedure.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Alternatives depend on the type of tumor. If the tumor is cancerous, chemotherapy may help, but that treatment is even less available than surgery. If the tumor is benign, it depends on the condition but just watching the mass would be one option.

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